Lincoln joins pact of 42 global cities to set data center standards
Lincoln, Nebraska, has joined a global pact with 41 other cities to establish standards for sustainable data center development and operations, emphasizing the protection of natural resources and quality of life. The pact recommends zoning ordinances and special use permits for data centers, while other Nebraska counties are enacting moratoriums and the state governor has ended data center tax incentives. Lincoln is home to an operational Google data center still under construction.
The City of Lincoln, Nebraska, announced its decision to join 41 other global cities, including 17 in the United States, in a new pact to establish sustainable standards for data center location and operations. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird emphasized the responsibility of cities to safeguard natural resources and residents' quality of life amid continued data center construction, stating that Lincoln's participation would advance a responsible approach to growth.
Kim Morrow, Lincoln's Chief Sustainability Officer, added that joining the pact, facilitated by C40 (a global network of mayors focused on sustainability), highlights the city's dedication to collaborating with the industry for responsible digital economy expansion. The C40 advisory guide suggests implementing zoning ordinances to maintain public health and community standards, including enforcing noise limits and requiring special use permits for data centers.
Currently, Lincoln hosts a Google data center near Interstate 80 and North 56th Street, which is operational but still undergoing construction. This local development occurs as more than a dozen predominantly rural Nebraska counties have either enacted or are in the process of approving moratoriums on data center construction. Additionally, Governor Jim Pillen recently signed an executive order to terminate state tax incentives for data center projects.